JP2004061073A - Air conditioner and its sterilization method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an air conditioner for efficiently sterilizing germs existing in water and to provide a sterilization method for the air conditioner. <P>SOLUTION: The air conditioner has a drain pan 112 and an ultrasonic sterilization unit having an ultrasonic vibrator 72. The drain pan 112 passes water. The ultrasonic vibrator 72 in the ultrasonic sterilization unit irradiates water in the drain pan 12 with strong ultraviolet rays being equal to or more than 10 watts to sterilize germs in water. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an air conditioner and a method for sterilizing the air conditioner.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The air conditioner performs indoor air conditioning by blowing air subjected to cooling, heating, dehumidification, etc., into the room. In such an air conditioner, when bacteria grow inside the air conditioner, it may cause a bad smell, or the bacteria may blow out into the room together with the air blown into the room, thereby affecting the human body. In addition, when slime is generated by microorganisms such as bacteria, the drainage drain passage may be blocked, which may cause an important complaint in the indoor unit such as a water leak. For this reason, air conditioners that can sterilize by various methods have conventionally been proposed. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-73039 proposes an air conditioner that sterilizes using a chemical. Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 10-185494 proposes an air conditioner that utilizes the sterilizing effect of ozone. Furthermore, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-324195 proposes an air conditioner that utilizes the sterilizing effect of ultraviolet light, and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-97447 discloses an air conditioner that performs sterilization by combining a drug and ultraviolet light. Proposed.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the air conditioner that performs the sterilization as described above, there is a possibility that when the bacteria existing in the water are sterilized, the bacteria cannot be sufficiently sterilized. For example, in an air conditioner using a medicine, the medicine is difficult to reach in a place where water stays, and there is a possibility that the bacteria cannot be sufficiently sterilized. Further, in an air conditioner using ultraviolet rays, there is a possibility that the ultraviolet rays may not reach the place where the shadow of a lamp or the like that irradiates the ultraviolet rays may reach and may not be sufficiently sterilized.
[0004]
An object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner and a method for sterilizing an air conditioner, which can efficiently sterilize bacteria present in water.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The air conditioner according to claim 1 includes a drain path and an ultrasonic sterilization unit. The drain path allows drain water to flow. The ultrasonic sterilization unit irradiates the water in the drain path with powerful ultrasonic waves of 10 watts or more to sterilize bacteria in the water.
In this air conditioner, ultrasonic cavitation can be generated in the water in the drain path by irradiating the ultrasonic water in the drain path with powerful ultrasonic waves of 10 watts or more. For this reason, this air conditioner can reduce bacteria in water by the action of cavitation. Thereby, in this air conditioner, bacteria existing in water can be efficiently sterilized.
[0006]
An air conditioner according to a second aspect is the air conditioner according to the first aspect, wherein the drain path includes a drain pan for collecting drain water. Then, the ultrasonic sterilizing unit irradiates ultrasonic waves to water in the drain pan.
An air conditioner often includes a drain pan for collecting drain water since drain water may be generated. However, bacteria may be present in the drain pan, which may cause an odor or the like.
[0007]
However, in this air conditioner, the ultrasonic sterilizing unit irradiates ultrasonic waves to water in the drain pan. For this reason, the bacteria existing in the water in the drain pan can be efficiently sterilized.
An air conditioner according to a third aspect is the air conditioner according to the second aspect, wherein the ultrasonic sterilization unit has a plurality of ultrasonic transducers arranged on the bottom surface of the drain pan.
[0008]
In this air conditioner, the ultrasonic sterilization unit has a plurality of ultrasonic transducers arranged on the bottom of the drain pan. For this reason, when the ultrasonic vibrator vibrates at the frequency of the ultrasonic wave, the ultrasonic wave can be directly applied to the water in the drain pan. Moreover, in this air conditioner, since a plurality of ultrasonic transducers are arranged, ultrasonic waves can be applied over a wide range of the water of the drain pan. Thereby, in this air conditioner, cavitation can be generated in a wide area of the water in the drain pan, and bacteria present in the water in the drain pan can be efficiently reduced.
[0009]
An air conditioner according to a fourth aspect is the air conditioner according to the second aspect, wherein the ultrasonic sterilizing unit has a diaphragm and an ultrasonic vibrator. The diaphragm is provided on the bottom surface of the drain pan. The ultrasonic vibrator vibrates the diaphragm.
In this air conditioner, the vibration plate provided on the bottom surface of the drain pan can be vibrated by vibrating the ultrasonic vibrator. Therefore, cavitation can be generated by applying ultrasonic waves to the water in the drain pan by vibrating the diaphragm. Thereby, in this air conditioner, bacteria existing in the water in the drain pan can be efficiently reduced.
[0010]
An air conditioner according to a fifth aspect is the air conditioner according to the second aspect, wherein the ultrasonic sterilizing unit has a horn-type ultrasonic vibrator provided on a side surface of the drain pan.
In this air conditioner, ultrasonic waves can be applied to water in the drain pan by vibrating the horn type ultrasonic vibrator provided on the side surface of the drain pan. Thus, in this air conditioner, cavitation is generated in the water in the drain pan, and bacteria present in the water in the drain pan can be efficiently reduced.
[0011]
The air conditioner according to claim 6 is the air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein the ultrasonic sterilizing unit has an ultrasonic vibrator that irradiates ultrasonic waves from outside the water in the drain pan.
In this air conditioner, cavitation can be generated in the water in the drain pan by irradiating the ultrasonic vibrator with ultrasonic waves from outside the water in the drain pan. Thereby, in this air conditioner, bacteria existing in the water in the drain pan can be efficiently reduced.
[0012]
An air conditioner according to a seventh aspect is the air conditioner according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the ultrasonic sterilizing unit irradiates an ultrasonic wave having a frequency of 20 kHz or more and 100 kHz or less.
In this air conditioner, the ultrasonic sterilizing unit emits ultrasonic waves having a frequency of 20 kHz or more and 100 kHz or less. Since the frequency of 20 kHz or more and 100 kHz or less is a frequency at which cavitation is likely to occur, the air conditioner can sufficiently generate cavitation. Thereby, bacteria in water can be more efficiently sterilized.
[0013]
The sterilization method for an air conditioner according to claim 8, further comprising a method of disinfecting an air conditioner having a drain path through which drain water flows, wherein the step of flowing drain water through the drain path and the step of supplying 10 watts of water through the drain path. Irradiating the above powerful ultrasonic waves to sterilize bacteria in water.
In this method of sterilizing an air conditioner, cavitation due to ultrasonic waves can be generated in the water in the drain path by irradiating the water in the drain path with powerful ultrasonic waves of 10 watts or more. For this reason, in the sterilization method of this air conditioner, bacteria in water can be sterilized by the action of cavitation. Thus, according to the method for sterilizing an air conditioner, bacteria existing in water can be efficiently sterilized.
[0014]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
<First embodiment>
[Appearance of air conditioner]
FIG. 1 shows the appearance of an air conditioner 1 to which the first embodiment of the present invention is applied.
The air conditioner 1 includes an indoor unit 2 attached to an indoor wall surface and the like, and an outdoor unit 3 installed outdoors. The outdoor unit 3 includes an outdoor air conditioning unit 5 that houses an outdoor heat exchanger, an outdoor fan, and the like.
[0015]
An indoor heat exchanger is housed in the indoor unit 2, an outdoor heat exchanger is housed in the outdoor unit 3, and each heat exchanger is connected by a refrigerant pipe 6 to form a refrigerant circuit. I have.
(Schematic configuration of refrigerant circuit)
FIG. 2 shows an example of a refrigerant circuit used in the air conditioner 1.
[0016]
An indoor heat exchanger 11 is provided in the indoor unit 2. The indoor heat exchanger 11 is composed of a heat transfer tube that is bent a plurality of times at both ends in the length direction, and a plurality of fins through which the heat transfer tube is inserted, and performs heat exchange between the air and the contacting air.
In addition, a cross flow fan 12 is provided in the indoor unit 2 for sucking indoor air and exchanging air after performing heat exchange with the indoor heat exchanger 11 into the room. The cross flow fan 12 is configured in a cylindrical shape, and has blades provided on a peripheral surface thereof in a rotation axis direction, and generates an air flow in a direction intersecting with the rotation axis. The cross flow fan 12 is driven to rotate by an indoor fan motor 13 provided in the indoor unit 2.
[0017]
The outdoor air conditioning unit 5 includes a compressor 21, a four-way switching valve 22 connected to the discharge side of the compressor 21, an accumulator 23 connected to the suction side of the compressor 21, and a connection to the four-way switching valve 22. The outdoor heat exchanger 24 is provided, and a pressure reducer 25 which is an electric expansion valve connected to the outdoor heat exchanger 24 is provided. The pressure reducer 25 is connected to a pipe 31 via a filter 26 and a liquid shutoff valve 27, and is connected to one end of the indoor heat exchanger 11 via the pipe 31. The four-way switching valve 22 is connected to a pipe 32 via a gas closing valve 28, and is connected to the other end of the indoor heat exchanger 11 via the pipe 32. The pipes 31 and 32 correspond to the refrigerant pipe 6 in FIG.
[0018]
In the outdoor air conditioning unit 5, a propeller fan 29 for discharging the air after the heat exchange in the outdoor heat exchanger 24 to the outside is provided. The propeller fan 29 is driven to rotate by a fan motor 30.
[Configuration of indoor unit]
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the indoor unit 2.
[0019]
In FIG. 3, the indoor unit 2 has a front grille assembly 101 and a front panel 102 mounted on the front of the front grille assembly 101. The front grille assembly 101 has an upper suction port 103 that forms a number of slit-shaped openings on its upper surface. The front panel 102 is formed with a front suction port 104 that opens upward and to the side.
[0020]
An air filter 105 for purifying air is inserted inside the upper suction port 103 of the front grille assembly 101 and inside the front suction port 104 of the front panel 102.
The front grille assembly 101 is attached to the bottom frame assembly 106 located at the rear, and forms a casing that houses internal components. The casing constituted by the front grille assembly 102 and the bottom frame assembly 106 is fixed to a mounting plate 107 fixed to a wall surface in the room and is mounted inside the room.
[0021]
The bottom frame assembly 106 is provided with a fan housing 109 for housing the cross flow fan 12. The cross flow fan 12 is rotatably mounted on the fan housing 109 via a bearing member 110, and an indoor fan motor 13 is provided on a side surface facing the bearing member 110. A side plate 111 is attached further outside the indoor fan motor 13.
[0022]
The indoor heat exchanger 11 is attached so as to surround the front, the upper part and the rear upper part of the cross flow fan 12. The indoor heat exchanger 11 has a plurality of heat dissipating fins attached to a plurality of heat transfer tubes bent at both left and right ends, and is sucked from an upper suction port 103 and a front suction port 104 by driving a cross flow fan 12. The passed air is passed to the cross flow fan 12 side to cause heat exchange with the refrigerant passing through the inside of the heat transfer tube. The indoor heat exchanger 11 is connected to a refrigerant pipe from the outdoor unit 3 via a refrigerant pipe 108 extending from the outdoor heat exchanger 11.
[0023]
Below the indoor heat exchanger 11, a drain pan 112 for collecting condensed water (drain water) generated in the indoor heat exchanger 11 at the time of heat exchange is provided. A drain hose 113 for discharging the collected drain water to the outside is attached to the drain pan 112. During a cooling operation, a dehumidifying operation, or the like, the indoor heat exchanger 11 functions as an evaporator, so that moisture contained in air that comes into contact with the indoor heat exchanger 11 condenses and drops. The drain pan 112 is configured to receive such drain water and drain it by a drain hose 113.
[0024]
The indoor unit 2 is provided with an ultrasonic sterilizing unit (see FIG. 4, omitted in FIG. 3) for sterilizing the water in the drain pan 112 by irradiating strong ultrasonic waves. The sonic sterilization unit will be described later in detail.
An electrical component box 114 that houses a printed circuit board on which a control circuit and the like are mounted and an electrical component lid 115 that covers the front surface of the electrical component box 114 are provided at a lower portion of the front surface of the front grille assembly 101. Further, an outlet for an air flow generated by the cross flow fan 12 is provided below the electrical component box 114. At the outlet, a horizontal blade 116 and a plurality of vertical blades 117 connected by a vertical blade connecting rod 118 are swingably provided. The horizontal blade 116 is rotatably driven by a horizontal blade operation motor 119, and the vertical blade 117 is rotatably driven by a vertical blade operation motor 120.
[0025]
[Structure of ultrasonic sterilization unit]
FIG. 4 shows the configuration of the ultrasonic sterilizing unit 7 provided in the indoor unit 2.
The ultrasonic sterilizing unit 7 is a device for irradiating the water in the drain pan 112 with a powerful ultrasonic wave of 10 watts or more to sterilize bacteria in the water, and mainly includes an oscillation circuit 70, an amplifier 71, an ultrasonic vibrator 72, It consists of.
[0026]
The oscillation circuit 70 oscillates a signal having an ultrasonic frequency of 20 kHz or more and 100 kHz or less. The oscillation circuit 70 transmits signals of these frequencies and sends them to the amplifier 71. The frequency of the signal oscillated by the oscillation circuit 70 is most desirably 28 kHz, which is particularly high in sterilization effect, but is not limited to this. Even if the oscillation circuit 70 oscillates a signal of another frequency, sufficient sterilization is possible. The effect is obtained.
[0027]
The amplifier 71 is connected to the oscillation circuit 70, and amplifies and outputs the voltage of the signal of the ultrasonic frequency sent from the oscillation circuit 70. The amplifier 71 amplifies the signal sent from the oscillation circuit 70 to 10 watts or more and sends the signal to the ultrasonic vibrator 72. The amplifier 71 amplifies the signal to about several tens of watts, for example.
The ultrasonic transducer 72 converts the signal amplified by the amplifier 71 into an ultrasonic wave. The ultrasonic vibrator 72 is an element that vibrates when an AC voltage is applied. When a voltage of an ultrasonic frequency is applied to the ultrasonic vibrator 72, the ultrasonic vibrator 72 vibrates at the ultrasonic frequency, thereby generating an ultrasonic wave. In the air conditioner 1, as shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of ultrasonic transducers 72 are arranged on the bottom surface of the drain pan 112. The ultrasonic transducers 72 are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the drain pan 112 over the entire length of the drain pan 112, and can irradiate the water in the drain pan 112 with ultrasonic waves over a wide range. The white arrow A1 in the drawing indicates the flow of drain water discharged from the drain pan 112.
[0028]
[Action]
The operation of sterilization by the ultrasonic wave of the air conditioner 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.
This air conditioner 1 performs sterilization using a so-called ultrasonic cavitation phenomenon. When high-power ultrasonic waves are applied to water, a force or pressure higher than the condensing force of water acts on the ultrasonic waves, and bubbles are generated in the water. These bubbles grow to a size of tens of microns and then adiabatically collapse. At this time, bubbles (cavitation) of several microns in a high temperature and high pressure state are locally generated. This phenomenon is called a cavitation phenomenon. When the cavitation phenomenon occurs, bacteria in the water are killed by the mechanical action of the shock wave of the micro jet flow generated by the cavitation, the action of the thermal decomposition reaction due to high temperature and high pressure, the action of the OH radical generated by the decomposition of water molecules, etc. .
[0029]
The air conditioner 1 irradiates water with ultrasonic waves by vibrating the ultrasonic vibrator 72 on the bottom surface of the drain pan 112 when water is present in the drain pan 112. When strong ultrasonic waves are applied to the water in the drain pan 112, cavitation occurs as described above, and the action of the cavitation sterilizes the water.
〔Characteristic〕
(1) In this air conditioner 1, water accumulated in the drain pan 112 or water flowing through the drain pan 112 is irradiated with ultrasonic waves of 10 watts or more at a frequency of 20 kHz to 100 kHz. Thus, the air conditioner 1 can effectively sterilize bacteria present in the water in the drain pan 112 by the action of the cavitation.
[0030]
(2) In the air conditioner 1, since the sterilization is performed in water as described above, there is little possibility that the reactant by the sterilization is blown out into the room together with the air sent to the room. For this reason, in this air conditioner 1, there is no danger of harm to the resident in the room due to sterilization.
(3) In the air conditioner 1, sterilization is performed by the action of cavitation, which is bubbles generated in water as described above. Therefore, compared with the case of sterilization using chemicals, ultraviolet rays, ozone, or the like, there is no possibility that substances that affect the human body and the like leak to the surroundings, and there is no risk of affecting the surrounding environment.
[0031]
(4) In the air conditioner 1, the location where the ultrasonic wave is irradiated can be changed by changing the arrangement of the ultrasonic vibrator 72. For this reason, this air conditioner 1 can also efficiently sterilize only a target location.
(5) The air conditioner 1 can sterilize the water in the drain pan 112 by irradiating the water with ultrasonic waves. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the microorganisms in the water of the drain pan 112 from being decomposed and the water in the drain pan 112 from becoming slime. Thereby, in the air conditioner 1, drain clogging is prevented.
[0032]
(6) In the air conditioner 1, the water in the drain pan 112 is irradiated with ultrasonic waves to sterilize it. The irradiated ultrasonic waves are reflected at the interface between water and air. For this reason, the ultrasonic wave irradiated in water can propagate to every corner of the drain pan 112 using water as a waveguide, and can sterilize every corner of the drain pan 112.
<Second embodiment>
The ultrasonic sterilizing unit in the air conditioner according to the second embodiment has a diaphragm 74 and an ultrasonic vibrator 73 as shown in FIG.
[0033]
The diaphragm 74 is provided on the bottom surface of the drain pan 112, and is provided over substantially the entire length of the drain pan 112. The diaphragm 74 is, for example, a thin plate made of stainless steel, and is present at the bottom of the water when the drain pan 112 has water.
The ultrasonic vibrator 73 is embedded inside the drain pan 112 and is disposed in contact with the ultrasonic vibrator 73 so as to cover the ultrasonic vibrator 73. For this reason, the vibration of the ultrasonic vibrator 73 is transmitted to the diaphragm 74.
[0034]
Other configurations are the same as those of the air conditioner 1 according to the first embodiment.
In this air conditioner, the vibration plate 74 provided on the bottom surface of the drain pan 112 vibrates due to the vibration of the ultrasonic vibrator 73 embedded in the drain pan 112. Therefore, when the ultrasonic vibrator 73 vibrates at the frequency of the ultrasonic wave, the diaphragm 74 vibrates at the frequency of the ultrasonic wave. Thereby, this air conditioner can generate cavitation by applying ultrasonic waves to the water in the drain pan 112. Thus, in this air conditioner, bacteria in the water in the drain pan 112 can be efficiently reduced.
[0035]
Further, the same effects as the other features of the air conditioner 1 described in the first embodiment can be obtained.
<Third embodiment>
FIG. 7 shows an arrangement of the ultrasonic transducer 75 in the air conditioner according to the third embodiment.
[0036]
The ultrasonic vibrator 75 is a horn-type ultrasonic vibrator 75, and is provided on a side surface of the drain pan 112 on the drain port 112 a side. The ultrasonic vibrator 75 is provided so as to be in contact with water when the drain pan 112 has water. Other configurations are the same as those of the air conditioner 1 according to the first embodiment.
This air conditioner can also achieve the same effects as the air conditioner 1 according to the first embodiment.
[0037]
<Fourth embodiment>
FIG. 8 shows an arrangement of the ultrasonic transducers 76 in the air conditioner according to the fourth embodiment.
The ultrasonic vibrator 76 irradiates ultrasonic waves from outside the water in the drain pan 112. The ultrasonic vibrator 76 is provided above the drain pan 112, and is arranged so as not to be immersed in water even when the drain pan 112 has water. The ultrasonic transducer 76 irradiates the water in the drain pan 112 with the ultrasonic waves by emitting the ultrasonic waves downward (see the arrow A2 in the figure). Other configurations are the same as those of the air conditioner 1 according to the first embodiment.
[0038]
In this air conditioner, the same effect as the air conditioner 1 according to the first embodiment can be obtained to some extent.
<Other embodiments>
In the above embodiment, the ultrasonic wave is applied to the water in the drain pan 112, but the ultrasonic sterilizing unit is configured to irradiate the ultrasonic wave to the water in the drain path other than the drain pan 112 for flowing the drain water. 7 or ultrasonic transducers 72, 73, 75, 76 may be arranged. For example, ultrasonic waves may be applied before the drain water generated in the indoor heat exchanger 11 drops on the drain pan 112, or ultrasonic waves may be applied to the water discharged from the drain hose 113.
[0039]
In the above embodiment, the ultrasonic sterilizing unit 7 is provided in the wall-mounted indoor unit 2; however, the ultrasonic sterilizing unit 7 may be provided in an indoor unit that is embedded in the ceiling.
Further, in the above embodiment, the ultrasonic sterilizing unit 7 is provided in the indoor unit 2, but the ultrasonic sterilizing unit may be provided in the outdoor unit 3.
[0040]
In the above embodiment, the ultrasonic sterilizing unit 7 is provided so as to irradiate ultrasonic waves to the drain pan 112 provided below the front surface of the indoor heat exchanger 11. In the case of an air conditioner further provided with a rear drain pan below the rear surface of 11, the ultrasonic generating unit 7 may be further provided so as to irradiate ultrasonic waves to the rear drain pan.
[0041]
【The invention's effect】
In the air conditioner according to the first aspect, the ultrasonic sterilization unit can generate cavitation by ultrasonic waves in the water in the drain path by irradiating the water in the drain path with powerful ultrasonic waves of 10 watts or more. . For this reason, this air conditioner can reduce bacteria in water by the action of cavitation. Thereby, in this air conditioner, bacteria existing in water can be efficiently sterilized.
[0042]
In the air conditioner according to the second aspect, the ultrasonic sterilizing unit irradiates ultrasonic waves to water in the drain pan. For this reason, the bacteria existing in the water in the drain pan can be efficiently sterilized.
In the air conditioner according to the third aspect, the ultrasonic sterilization unit has a plurality of ultrasonic transducers arranged on the bottom surface of the drain pan. For this reason, when the ultrasonic vibrator vibrates at the frequency of the ultrasonic wave, the ultrasonic wave can be directly applied to the water in the drain pan. Moreover, in this air conditioner, since a plurality of ultrasonic transducers are arranged, ultrasonic waves can be applied over a wide range of the water of the drain pan. Thereby, in this air conditioner, cavitation can be generated in a wide area of the water in the drain pan, and bacteria present in the water in the drain pan can be efficiently reduced.
[0043]
In the air conditioner according to the fourth aspect, the vibration plate provided on the bottom surface of the drain pan can be vibrated by vibrating the ultrasonic vibrator. Therefore, cavitation can be generated by applying ultrasonic waves to the water in the drain pan by vibrating the diaphragm. Thereby, in this air conditioner, bacteria existing in the water in the drain pan can be efficiently reduced.
[0044]
In the air conditioner according to the fifth aspect, ultrasonic waves can be applied to water in the drain pan by vibrating the horn type ultrasonic vibrator provided on the side surface of the drain pan. Thus, in this air conditioner, cavitation is generated in the water in the drain pan, and bacteria present in the water in the drain pan can be efficiently reduced.
[0045]
In the air conditioner according to claim 6, the ultrasonic vibrator can generate cavitation in the water in the drain pan by irradiating the ultrasonic wave from outside the water in the drain pan. Thereby, in this air conditioner, bacteria existing in the water in the drain pan can be efficiently reduced.
In the air conditioner according to claim 7, the ultrasonic sterilizing unit irradiates an ultrasonic wave having a frequency of 20 kHz or more and 100 kHz or less. Since the frequency of 20 kHz or more and 100 kHz or less is a frequency at which cavitation is likely to occur, the air conditioner can sufficiently generate cavitation. Thereby, bacteria in water can be more efficiently sterilized.
[0046]
In the method for sterilizing an air conditioner according to claim 8, cavitation due to ultrasonic waves can be generated in the water in the drain path by irradiating the water in the drain path with a powerful ultrasonic wave of 10 watts or more. For this reason, in the sterilization method of this air conditioner, bacteria in water can be sterilized by the action of cavitation. Thus, according to the method for sterilizing an air conditioner, bacteria existing in water can be efficiently sterilized.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an external view of an air conditioner 1 according to a first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a refrigerant circuit.
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the indoor unit.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an ultrasonic sterilization unit.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an arrangement of an ultrasonic transducer according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an arrangement of an ultrasonic transducer and a diaphragm according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an arrangement of an ultrasonic transducer according to a third embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an arrangement of an ultrasonic transducer according to a fourth embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 air conditioner 7 ultrasonic sterilizing unit 72, 73, 75, 76 ultrasonic vibrator 74 diaphragm 112 drain pan 113 drain hose

Claims (8)

A drain path (112, 113) for flowing drain water;
An ultrasonic sterilizing unit (7) for irradiating the water in the drain path (112, 113) with powerful ultrasonic waves of 10 watts or more to sterilize bacteria in the water;
Air conditioner equipped with. The drain path (112, 113) includes a drain pan (112) for collecting drain water,
The ultrasonic sterilizing unit (7) irradiates the ultrasonic waves to water in the drain pan (112),
The air conditioner according to claim 1. The ultrasonic sterilization unit (7) includes a plurality of ultrasonic transducers (72) arranged on a bottom surface of the drain pan (112).
The air conditioner according to claim 2. The ultrasonic sterilization unit (7) includes:
A diaphragm (74) provided on the bottom surface of the drain pan (112);
An ultrasonic vibrator (73) for vibrating the vibration plate (74);
Having,
The air conditioner according to claim 2. The ultrasonic sterilization unit (7) includes a horn-type ultrasonic vibrator (75) provided on a side surface of the drain pan (112).
The air conditioner according to claim 2. The ultrasonic sterilization unit (7) includes an ultrasonic vibrator (76) that irradiates the ultrasonic waves from outside the water in the drain pan (112).
The air conditioner according to claim 2. The ultrasonic sterilizing unit (7) irradiates the ultrasonic waves with a frequency of 20 kHz or more and 100 kHz or less,
The air conditioner according to claim 1. A method of sterilizing an air conditioner having a drain path (112, 113) for flowing drain water,
Flowing drain water through the drain path (112, 113);
Irradiating the water in the drain path (112, 113) with powerful ultrasonic waves of 10 watts or more to reduce bacteria in the water;
A method for sterilizing an air conditioner comprising:

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